What does the Bible say about death?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that death is the wages of sin, yet through Jesus Christ it has been defeated for all who trust in him, and believers have the sure hope of resurrection and eternal life. Romans 6:23 contrasts sin’s death with God’s gift of life, while John 3:16 and John 11:26 proclaim life through faith in Christ. Though death brings real sorrow, Psalm 23:4 assures God’s presence in its shadow, and 1 Thessalonians 4:14 grounds hope in Jesus’ resurrection. Ecclesiastes 12:7 reminds us that our bodies return to dust and our spirits answer to God. Revelation 21:4 promises the final removal of death, mourning, and pain in God’s renewed creation.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."
- Romans 14:8
For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord's.
- Ecclesiastes 12:7
And the dust returns to the earth as it was, And the spirit returns to God who gave it.
- Luke 23:43
Jesus said to him, "Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
- John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
- Psalms 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
- Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- John 11:26
Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
- Matthew 10:28
Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Miscellaneous Subjects
- Called GIVING UP THE GHOST Genesis 25:8; Genesis 35:29; Lamentations 1:19; Acts 5:10
- KING OF TERRORS Job 18:14
- A CHANGE Job 14:14
- GOING TO THY FATHERS Genesis 15:15; Genesis 25:8; Genesis 35:29
- PUTTING OFF THIS TABERNACLE 2 Peter 1:14
- REQUIRING THE SOUL Luke 12:20
- GOING THE WAY WHENCE THERE IS NO RETURN Job 16:22
- BEING GATHERED TO OUR PEOPLE Genesis 49:33
- GOING DOWN INTO SILENCE Psalms 115:17
- RETURNING TO DUST Genesis 3:19; Psalms 104:29
- BEING CUT DOWN Job 14:2
- FLEEING AS A SHADOW Job 14:2
- DEPARTING Philippians 2:23
- Called SLEEP Deuteronomy 31:16; Job 7:21; Job 14:12; Jeremiah 51:39; Daniel 12:2; John 11:11; Acts 7:60; Acts 13:36; 1 Corinthians 15:6; 1 Corinthians 15:18; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:14
- EXEMPTION FROM
- Enoch Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5
- Elijah 2 Kings 2
- Promised to saints at the second coming of Christ 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:17
- No death in heaven Luke 20:36; Revelation 21:4
- DESIRED Jeremiah 8:3; Revelation 9:6
- By Moses Numbers 11:15
- Elijah 1 Kings 19:4
- Job Job 3; Job 6:8-11; Job 7:1-3; Job 7:15; Job 7:16; Job 10:1; Job 14:13
- Jonah Jonah 4:8
- Simeon Luke 2:29
- Paul 2 Corinthians 5:2; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:20-23
- AS A JUDGMENT
- Upon the Antediluvians Genesis 6:7; Genesis 6:11-13
- Sodomites Genesis 19:12; Genesis 19:13; Genesis 19:24; Genesis 19:25
- Saul 1 Chronicles 10:13; 1 Chronicles 10:14
- SYMBOLIZED
- By the pale horse Revelation 6:8
- King of Terrors Job 18:14
- APOSTROPHE TO Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:55
- UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:19; Genesis 27:2; Deuteronomy 32:39; Joshua 23:14; 1 Samuel 2:6; 1 Samuel 20:2; 1 Samuel 20:3; 2 Samuel 1:23; 2 Samuel 14:14; Job 1:21; Job 3:13
- PREPARATION FOR Deuteronomy 32:29; 2 Kings 20:1; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 39:13; Psalms 90:12; Ecclesiastes 9:4; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Ecclesiastes 11:7; Ecclesiastes 11:8; Isaiah 38:18; Isaiah 38:19; Luke 12:35-37
- OF THE RIGHTEOUS Numbers 23:10; 2 Samuel 12:23; 2 Kings 22:19; 2 Kings 22:20; Psalms 23:4; Psalms 31:5; Psalms 37:37; Psalms 49:15; Psalms 73:24; Psalms 116:15; Proverbs 14:32; Ecclesiastes 7:1
- SCENES OF
- DEATH OF ISAAC Genesis 27:1-4; Genesis 27:22-40
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